Rosary walk set for 55th edition

Members of the church community join the 52nd annual Family Rosary Procession, reciting decades of the rosary, starting from Chuch Square around the street of the town centre in St Helens.

Published:08:54Monday 21 September 2015

Share this article

The 55th annual St Helens Family Rosary Procession is to take place next month - and will be joined by the town’s mayor.

Led by Bishop Rev John Rawsthorne, the procession is on Sunday October 4 starting at 3pm.

Organisers say participants should assemble in Church Square at 2.45 pm.

Following local, national and international prayer intentions, the procession passes through the town centre reciting the Holy Rosary, ending with a Benediction service on this occasion, at the church of St Mary’s, Lowe House.

Starting at Church Square, this year’s route proceeds up Church Street and Ormskirk Street, turning into Barrow Street then Victoria Square.

After crossing over on to the Town Hall Piazza, it turns left along Corporation Street, crossing over into College Street, then round the YMCA corner into North Road.

From there the Procession continues until just before Ward Street, then crossing over North Road. and Volunteer Street, arriving at St Mary’s, Lowe House RC church.

Paul Gaskill, the procession’s senior organiser, said: “All those whose faith embraces the practice of reciting the Holy Rosary are invited to attend.

“Participants are reminded to wear suitable clothing and footwear for the weather on the day and that all Children and Young People taking part in the Procession are to be accompanied by and in the care of a Parent or Guardian.

“Any wheelchair participants are asked to wear appropriate protective clothing and should ensure their safety belt is secured.

g The origin of the St Helens Annual Rosary Procession dates back to the late 1950s, when Holy Cross parishioner, Martin Byrne, was seriously ill and pledged in prayer that if he recovered, he would ensure that an Annual Rosary Procession was initiated in the town.

Mr Gaskill said: “As history shows, both of these events occurred and the tradition has carried on unbroken to this day.

“Sadly, Martin is no longer with us, but his legacy lives on in the form of the Annual Family Rosary Procession in St Helens.”